A dean is in front (5)

I believe the answer is:

ahead

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'is in front' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a dean' is the wordplay.
'dean' becomes 'head' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'head'='AHEAD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ahead that I've seen before include "Forward - in front" , "at pole" , "Winning" , "What's down the road" , "advanced" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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